The city of Phoenix is helping residents prepare for upcoming monsoon storms by giving away free sand for sandbags — but you must bring your own bags and a shovel to fill them with.
The Public Works Department announced Wednesday night sand would be available at eight Phoenix parks starting Thursday morning.
Advisories were issued for both dust and thunderstorms in the Phoenix metro area on Wednesday evening. Several parts of the Valley recorded more than an inch of rain in the past 24 hours, according to data from the Flood Control District of Maricopa County.
Shower and thunderstorm activity continues to persist across the region. The activity will gradually diminish during the next couple of hours. #azwx pic.twitter.com/6O9JHOHaVf
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) September 4, 2025
The rain came from Tropical Storm Lorena near Mexico’s west coast. Lorena was downgraded Thursday from a hurricane, which has stronger winds.
David Tramp, a science and operations Officer with the National Weather Service, said while the storms brought in welcome rain, the state is still a few inches below average for this time of year.
"So, hopefully some of these storms that come through today, tomorrow and into the weekend might, you know, if we can get them to form over Sky Harbor and dump a little bit of rain, we'll get closer to normal," Tramp said.
More monsoon activity is possible this week. On Thursday night, there is a 60% change of precipitation with “new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible,” according to the National Weather Service.
Phoenix's forecast shows a change of rain every day through Saturday. The NWS has issued a flood watch for much of Maricopa County from noon to midnight Thursday.
The sand is free on a first-come, first-served basis — but bring your own shovels and bags.
Sand locations
District 1 – Paseo Highlands Park – 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road
District 2 – Paradise Valley Park – 17642 N. 40th St.
District 3 – Moon Valley Park – 502 W. Coral Gables Drive
District 4 – Encanto Park Sports Complex – 2121 N. 15th Ave.
District 5 – El Oso Park – 3451 N. 75th Ave.
District 6 – Pecos Park – 17010 S. 48th St.
District 7 – Cesar Chavez Park – 7858 S. 35th Ave.
District 8 – Esteban Park – 3345 E. Roeser Road
Phoenix forecast
Thursday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 97. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming west-southwest in the afternoon. At night, showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. South-southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. At night, 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. West-southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. South-southwest wind around 5 mph. At night, a 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 79. West-southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Source: National Weather Service
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